Snakes have been feared and hated by humans since our ancestors first encountered them, and it’s hard to blame them! With their scaly skin and unnerving gaze, these creatures are anything but beautiful, even if they are important in the food chain. However, there is more to snakes than most people think… Here are ten bizarre and creepy facts about these legless reptiles!
1: They are cold-blooded
Snakes are ectothermic animals, meaning they do not produce their own body heat. Instead, they rely on the sun’s heat or sources of heat to warm up. There are a few species of snakes that can also generate their own internal heat by contracting muscles in the stomach area.
2: They don’t see well but have great hearing
Snakes have no ears, but they can hear very well. It’s thought that their hearing is so sensitive because they need to be able to hear animals moving around on the ground when hunting. They don’t see too well, but their eyes are placed on top of the head for binocular vision which helps them detect motion from afar.
3: They may look cute but they are dangerous
Snakes are cute animals, but they are also very dangerous. Some people keep them as pets, but this is not a good idea because you never know when the snake might try to bite you or escape from its cage. You should only keep snakes as pets if you have been trained to do so by an expert in reptiles.
4: Snakes can’t move their eyes
Snakes can’t move their eyes, so they rely on their tongue to see what’s in front of them. A snake will flick its tongue to catch scent particles floating in the air, then analyze the smell with its Jacobson’s organ on either side of its mouth. This is how snakes track down prey; they can sense when something is nearby but may not be able to see it.
5: They haven’t always been hated and feared by humans
Snakes have had a long history of being feared by humans, but in reality, many types of snakes are beneficial to humans. For example, in the United States alone over 100 million pounds of rats are killed each year by snakes.
6: Different snake species need different things to survive
Some snake species, like cobras and boas, need a large amount of water to survive. Others, like rattlesnakes and garter snakes, can go without water for weeks. Different types of snakes also require different levels of temperature. For example, temperate climate snakes typically live in the southern regions of the United States, while tropical climate snakes are native to Central America or Southeast Asia.
7: These reptiles are highly adaptable
One of the things that makes snakes so interesting is their ability to adapt to any environment. Not only do they have an amazing sense of smell, they can also tell if something is going to happen in the future. They are also able to change colors depending on their surroundings which gives them an advantage in hunting prey.
8: The world’s longest snake lives in South America
The world’s longest snake lives in South America. The Sehuencas water snake (Lampropeltis sehuencas) is often referred to as the giant anaconda due to its large size and the way it coils around its prey, suffocating them. It can grow up to six meters long, making it one of the longest snakes in the world.
9: In some cultures they are worshipped as gods while in other areas they are killed on sight.
Snakes have been revered in some cultures as gods, while in others they are killed on sight. Their perceived evil nature may be due to their ability to swallow prey whole without chewing, which is a very unsettling and creepy concept.
10. Are you brave enough to cuddle with a snake?
Snakes are cold-blooded, meaning that they need the warmth of their environment in order to be active. For this reason, some people find it very comforting to cuddle with a snake! One company offers snake cuddling services where you can get up close and personal with a variety of snakes at their facility.